Coventry University

About: Coventry University is a education organization based out in Coventry, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Population. The organization has 4964 authors who have published 12700 publications receiving 255898 citations. The organization is also known as: Lanchester Polytechnic & Coventry Polytechnic.

Empathy: A Review of the Concept:

Abstract: The inconsistent definition of empathy has had a negative impact on both research and practice. The aim of this article is to review and critically appraise a range of definitions of empathy and, through considered analysis, to develop a new conceptualisation. From the examination of 43 discrete definitions, 8 themes relating to the nature of empathy emerged: “distinguishing empathy from other concepts”; “cognitive or affective?”; “congruent or incongruent?”; “subject to other stimuli?”; “self/other distinction or merging?”; “trait or state influences?”; “has a behavioural outcome?”; and “automatic or controlled?” The relevance and validity of each theme is assessed and a new conceptualisation of empathy is offered. The benefits of employing a more consistent and complete definition of empathy are discussed.

Frequency-dependent susceptibility measurements of environmental materials

Abstract: The theory, measurement and interpretation of frequency-dependent susceptibility (Xfd) are examined. A new model is proposed which explains Xfd in terms of the behaviour of all superparamagnetic grains (SP) with diameters between 0 and ~0.03 um. The model predicts maximum Xfd percentage values of 14-17 per cent for spherical SP ferrimagnetic grains in the grain size range 0.01-0.025 um, and a maximum value of 10-12 per cent for grain assemblages spanning a wider range of grain sizes (0-0.03 um). Synthetic and experimental data support the model predictions in terms of both maximum Xfd percentage values and the relationship between Xfd percentage and mass specific Xfd, which exhibits an envelope of data points partly related to grain size distributions within the SP range. When the Xfd percentage is at a maximum, the mass specific Xfd term can be used to estimate the concentration of SP grains in a sample. Lower values of Xfd percentage in soils are caused by the presence of narrow distributions of ultrafine SP grains, frequency-independent stable single and multi-domain ferrimagnetic grains. Some soils with low susceptibilities may have low Xfd percentages because of an appreciable content of paramagnetic and canted antiferromagnetic minerals. A simple mixing model predicts proportions of SP grains in mixed grain assemblages, but model validation requiring further characterization of grain interaction and grain size distributions is needed before it can be applied to environmental data.

Phenological sensitivity to climate across taxa and trophic levels

Abstract: Differences in phenological responses to climate change among species can desynchronise ecological interactions and thereby threaten ecosystem function. To assess these threats, we must quantify the relative impact of climate change on species at different trophic levels. Here, we apply a Climate Sensitivity Profile approach to 10,003 terrestrial and aquatic phenological data sets, spatially matched to temperature and precipitation data, to quantify variation in climate sensitivity. The direction, magnitude and timing of climate sensitivity varied markedly among organisms within taxonomic and trophic groups. Despite this variability, we detected systematic variation in the direction and magnitude of phenological climate sensitivity. Secondary consumers showed consistently lower climate sensitivity than other groups. We used mid-century climate change projections to estimate that the timing of phenological events could change more for primary consumers than for species in other trophic levels (6.2 versus 2.5–2.9 days earlier on average), with substantial taxonomic variation (1.1–14.8 days earlier on average).